Low Temperature Castors

For applications below 5°Celsius we ask our clients to specify the temperature of use when ordering to ensure that the appropriate grease is applied. This can be done in the “Order Instructions/Comments” section of the Checkout and we will contact you to verify your selection.

The standard grease we use in the castors we supply is a lithium complex grease. This has excellent water resistance, bearing retention and long life. But below 5°C it begins to stiffen quickly, and will soon freeze the bearings so that neither the castor swivels nor the wheel bearings revolve. If specified at the time of ordering, we use special aeronautical grease which is synthetic oil with a microgel thickener. This is compounded for use down to -30°C, and will need to be refreshed every 6 - 12 months, but will continue to work effectively in chilling rooms, freezing stores and outdoor winter use in northern countries where ordinary greases would be useless.

As the temperature becomes lower, the softer rubber and polyurethane treads on the wheels we supply become less elastic. For example, the polyurethane used on the ‘H’ series slowly stiffens from +20°C down to -20°C, but then rapidly stiffens until at -50°C it becomes brittle.

As temperature goes below 5°C, nylon can become brittle (particularly if it is kept for long periods in the very dry air in freezing rooms). At such times we recommend a fibreglass reinforced wheel, which can be used down to -30°C.